Little Man Tate

Deriving their name in puzzling fashion from the 1991 Jodie Foster movie centered on a youthful genius, Little Man Tate operates as a gritty indie rock group based in Sheffield, England. Sharing a regional affinity with fellow Yorkshire act the Arctic Monkeys, the band delivers its own distinctly British interpretation of guitar pop. While the Arctic Monkeys draw chiefly from the Television Personalities, to the point that a 2006 Internet rumor suggested TVPs frontman Daniel Treacy served as their hidden songwriter, and favor a jagged post-punk style, Little Man Tate aligns more closely with Blur, the Dentists, and other acts inspired by the Kinks' knack for memorable melodies paired with witty lyrics depicting ordinary British existence. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jon Windle, lead guitarist Edward "Maz" Marriot, bassist Ben Surtees, and drummer Dan Fields first assembled in 2003 under the moniker Carousel Moon, later cycling through the names the Moon and Lazy Eye before adopting Little Man Tate in 2005. On their own Yellow Van imprint, the group issued its first single, "The Agent," in March 2006. Following the May 2006 release of a second independent single, "What? What You Got," which entered the lower tier of the U.K. Top 40, Little Man Tate inked a deal with V2 Records. The label then put out three additional singles—"House Party at Boothy's," "Man, I Hate Your Band," and "Sexy in Latin"—each achieving greater chart placement than the last, ahead of the February 2007 arrival of the band's debut album, About What You Know.